UAE airlines to clarify US subsidy allegations

DUBAI, March 11, 2015

Emirates, a Dubai-based airline, will respond shortly to the subsidy allegations made by US airlines after going through the report.

The report, compiled by US airline giants Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airways, states that UAE airlines have breached open skies agreements in efforts to dominate global aviation, which threatens the US airline industry, airline jobs and the US economy, a Gulf Business report said.

The US allegations targeted Emirates and Etihad and Qatar Airways, claiming the UAE carriers have received almost $42 billion in subsidies.

“These are only accusations from airline CEOs. They are entitled to what they have to say. We will officially respond,” the report cited Adel Ahmad Al Redha, Emirates’ executive vice president and COO, as saying.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) also confirmed that it has not received any official word from the US government about the issue so far.

Laila Hareb Al Muhairi, assistant director general Strategy and International Affairs, GCAA, said the UAE government will not interfere, noting that UAE airlines are capable of handling and defending the propaganda by the US carriers.

“Until now the US government has not spoken about it, and we will not respond unless they address the issues with the UAE government,” the report quoted Al Muhairi as saying.